Are viruses always villains? The roles plant viruses may play in improving plant responses to stress

Abstract

Viruses have traditionally been seen as pathogens of plants and animals. Recent research has shown that most viruses induce no pathology in natural plant hosts and in some cases they may be of benefit in reducing damage from both biotic and abiotic stressors. New technologies are revealing that viruses are far more abundant and diverse than previously known, and unexpected roles as symbionts and as sources of genetic raw material for evolution are informing a new appreciation of the roles plant viruses play in nature